The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, 1887-03-17
HENRY WARD BEEcHEn.
A Biographical Sketch Of the Life and Deeds
of the Great Preacher.

| q strong desire for a seafaring life, which he
renowned in consequence OF q deep religious
impression experienced during a revival. lie
studied at the Boston Latin school, in Mount
Pleasant institute, and was graduated at Am
| herSt In 1884. then studied theology at Lane
seminary, near Cincinnati, o. under the tut
ton OF his father, who was president OF the
institution. He first settled as a PRESBYTERIAN
| minister in Lawrenceburg, Ind, In 1897, and
married Eunice White, daughter of DIR. Arte-
mas Billiard; then removed to Indianapolis in
1880. where he preached until 1S47. In that
| wear he received a call from Plymouth church,
a new Congregational society In Brooklyn, N.
| Y, and almost from the outset he began TO ac-
quire that reputation as a pulpit orator which
! has been maintained for more than a third
| of q century. The church and congregation
under his charge were among the largest in
America. The edifce has a seating capacity
Of nearly 1900.
Mr.. Beecher discarded many of the eonven-
tionalities Of the clerical profession. In his
view humOr has q place in a sermon, as well
as argument and eXhortation and he did not
| hesitate sometimes to venture so near the
| comic that laughter could hardly be restrain
| ed. He was fond of illustration, drawing ma
terial from every sphere of human life and
| thought and his manner was highly dramatic.
| Though his keen sense OF huimor continually
manifested Itself, the prevailing impression
gwen by his discourses was one OF intense
| carnestness. The cardinal idea of his creed
was that Christianity is not a series of dog
mas, philosophical or metaphysical, but a rule
of life in every phase. He never hesitated TO
discuss from the pulpit the great social and
political crimes of the day, such as slavery,
intemperance, avarice and political abuses.
In 1878 he announced that he did not believe
in the eternity of punishment. He believed
| that all punishment is cautiOnary and remedi-
al, and that no greater cruelty could be imag.
ined than the continuance OF suffering eter-
nally after all hope of was gone.
L II 1900 h.. and hic onnnrnnafinn form a lu with
drew from the association of Congregational
churches on account of this belief.
Mr.. Beecher's theology, under the law OF
evolution has changed from the strict Calyan-
ism in which he was educated to a disbelief
in the eternity of future punishment. His
ermons, reported by stenographers, have been
printed since 1859, and for several years
formed a weekly publication called the ply
mouth Pulpit" He very early became prom
inent as a platform orator and lecturer, IN
which he had a long and successful career.
His lectures came to be in such demand, even
at the rate OF $500 a night, that he was
obliged TO decline further engagements as in
terfering with his ministerial duties, and for
q long time he refused all applications for
public lectures and addresses except for some
special occasion. In January, 1859, he deliv-
cred an Grafton at the c%entennla. anniversary
of the birthday of Robert Burns, which is
considered one of his most eloquent efforts.
~ bSSdiitC Il iSiuDC u LILO ISpubiiNoh poio'
on its formation, and delivered many political
sermons from his pulpit; also addressed poll
tical meetings, especially in 1856, when he
took an active part in the canvass, not only
with his pen, but by addressing mass meetings
throughout the northern states.
During the presidential canvass of 1884 Mr..
Beecher supported the democratic candidate,
and by his action estranged many OF his poll
cal admirers.
In the long conflict with slavery Mr.. Beecher
/ wac m an.1v a-I -, arNoe - 1.t-n a-l frppn
the pulpit of Plymouth church came many of
the seyerest denunciations of human chattel-
hood ever uttered before a public assembly.
In 1863 he visited Europe and addressed large
audiences in the principal cities of Great
Britain on the questions evolved by the civil
war then raging in the United States. with a
special view to disabuse the British public in
regard to the issues of the great struggle.
His speeches exerted a wide influence in
changing popular sentiment. which had been
previously strongly in favor of the southern
confcderacy, and were published in London
as speeches on the American Rebellion
QS6i). In April, 1855, at the request of the
government he delivered an Grafton at Fort
Sumpter on the anniversary OF its fall. Though
a man of peace, lie did not hesitate to don the
uniform of a solder and appear on parade as
the chaplain of 4 regiment, an office 10 which
he was elected by the 18th regiment, national
guard in 1878. In 1871 one of his parishion-
ers, Mr.. Henry w. Sage. founded a lecture
ship of preaching called 'The LYMAN Beccller
Lectureship." in Yale college divinity school,
and the first three annua courses were de-
liyered by Mr.. Beecher.
In the summer OIL 1874 Theodore Tilton, for
merly Mr.. Beecher's associate, afterward his
successor, in the editorship of the Ind pendent,
charged him with crilninality with Mrs. Til
don. A of Plymouth congregation
reported the charges TO be without foundation;
but meanwhile Mr.. TIlton instituted 4 civil
suit against Mr.. Beecher. laying his damages
at SlOO,t00. The trial lasted six months and
at its close the jury, after being locked up for
more than a week, failed to agree on a YER
dict. They stood nine for the plaintiff and
three for the defendant.
Mr.. Beecher was of stout build, ford and OF
strong physical constitution. He was fond
of domestic and rural life; Il student of nature;
a lover of animals, flowers and gems; all en-
thusiast IN music and a judge and "A patron of
art. He owned a charming residence at Peek
skill on the Hudson, which he occupied dur
ing the summer. In 1889 he made a featuring
tour in England, his ONLY visit to that
country since the war. His biography has
been written BY Lyman Abbott (New York,
1881
During his theological course in 1876, for
nearly a year Mr.. Beecher edited the Cincin-
matt Journal. a religious weekly. While pas
tor at Indianapolis he edited an agricultural
Journal, The Farmer and Gardner, his con-
tributions to which were afterward published
under the title plain and Pleasant Talk about
Fruits, Flowers and Farming New York,
1889. He was one of the founders and for
nearly twenty years an editorial contributor OF
the New York independent, and from 1861 till
1863 was its editor. His contributions to this
were signed with an asterisk and MANY of them
were afterward collected and published as
"Star Papers; or Experiences of Art and
Nature New York, 1850. and as 'sNew Star
Papers; or Views and Experiences of Religious
Subjects QS5S). The latter has been re-
published in England under the title of
Summer in the Soul" On the establishment
of the Christian Union. in 1870. he became its
editor-in-c chief. To a series of papers in the
Aeo York Lager he gave the title Thoughts
as thew Occur'' by 'One Who Keeps His Ewes
and Ears Open" ami they were afterward
published under the title of Eyes and Ears"
Boston, 1864.
In addition to the foregoing Mr.. Beecher
published Lectures to Young Men on Various
Important Subjects indianapolis, 1914, re-
vised edition, New York. 1850 ''.Freedom and
War: Diseourses suggested by the Tines
Boston, 1859 "Aids to Prayer'' (New York,
1864; Norwood: or Village Life in New Eng
land" QS6O; Overture of Angels' (lS69).
being an Introductory installment of 'Life of
Jesus, the Christ: Earlier Scenes' GS7l);
Lecture Room Talks: A Series of Familiar
Discourses on Themes of Christian Exue-
rience' 1S70); yale Lectures on Preaching,
q vols. 1921; "a Summer Parish: Sermons
and Morning Services of Prayers (1S74) '.Ev-
olution and Religion QSS5). Also numerous
nhlrAEcn n~1 ,a.of ~ A